Last weekend’s return of the Six Nations Championship may have
lacked the extravagant play of last year’s Rugby World Cup, but the
three fixtures did not lack for excitement, commitment and intensity.
That drama continues this weekend with fans asking which team will
prevail in this wide-open championship.
All the questions asked before France played Italy in last weekend’s
opener are still pertinent. Can the Italians bring forward a new
generation? Can the giants of club rugby France and England produce
national teams to match their club dominance? Will Ireland overcome
devastating injuries to gain a historic third consecutive title? Do
Wales have the guile to match their brute force, and can Scotland turn
potential into results?
Offering the most answers are England. A powerful display at
Murrayfield showed traditional English forward power. Combined with a
well taken second try by Jack Nowell, the performance showed what
England are capable of.
No one can doubt England have talented individuals, but now Eddie
Jones’s team, after a disastrous home World Cup under predecessor Stuart
Lancaster, must take the confidence gained from that performance and
marry power and flair to deliver the title.
Another positive for England in their quest is having both Wales and
Ireland visit Twickenham. But home advantage also brings expectation,
and these games will test the leadership, character and fragile
discipline of new captain Dylan Hartley. Can he lead them to a first
Grand Slam since 2003?
Sunday’s opponents Italy fought valiantly at the Stade de France only
for Sergio Parisse to miss a late drop-goal attempt which denied them
victory. Perhaps it is symbolic that the chance fell to the great
veteran. Italy have no one to replace him and any chance of success for
them lies with him. What will they do when the 32-year-old eventually
retires?
France, the only other team with the Grand Slam still available to
them, have the advantage of playing their first two games at home.
However, Ireland are a completely different opponent to Italy. Despite a
draw against Wales taking away their Grand Slam and Triple Crown hopes,
Ireland will still believe they can land a third championship in a row.
Joe Schmidt’s men will take great encouragement that their
injury-ravaged team could produce such a performance in an intense
battle with Wales. The return of Lions pair Sean O’Brien and Keith Earls
will only enhance Irish hopes of an away victory.
France were lucky to avoid defeat to Italy. It is worth noting that,
on the same weekend, France’s top club side Racing 92 defeated southern
hemisphere Super Rugby champions the Highlanders of New Zealand,
highlighting that the talent that makes their clubs so strong is not of
the homegrown variety. France look a long way from being the great
entertainers of European rugby that won so many titles playing with
fearless adventure.
Despite Scotland not having beaten Wales in Cardiff since 2002 the
match at the newly renamed Principality Stadium is the standout tie of
the weekend. After surviving the opening Irish torrent in Dublin last
weekend Wales may feel slightly aggrieved not to have left with a win.
But Wales have received a huge boost in the return of the talismanic
Dan Biggar after recovering from what was feared to be a possible
three-week-recovery ankle injury in just five days.
Wales coach Gatland feared the worst when Ospreys outside-half Biggar
limped off the 16-16 Six Nations draw with Ireland last Sunday.
“The medics thought that it was a three-to-five-week injury,”
Gatland said.”But the scan came back clear and he’s worked really hard.
He’s made a pretty miraculous recovery really.”
The key battles lie in all areas. Will the “miraculous” return of
Biggar give Wales an advantage in the battle of the standoffs? Can
Scotland’s Gray brothers compete at the lineout against the twin towers
of Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris?
Who will secure the breakdown, with Scotland mimicking the Australian
tactic of playing two openside flankers. Jamie Roberts was exceptional
against Ireland in blunting the talents of Robbie Henshaw. Can he do the
same against Mark Bennett? And finally, which of the two fine captains,
Sam Warburton and Greig Laidlaw, can inspire their men the most?
These teams have contrasting styles – Scotland look to move the ball
quickly to find space for talented runners like Stuart Hogg, while Wales
are hugely physical with giants like George North smashing opponents.
Who will win a potentially high scoring affair – Scottish potential or
Welsh know-how?
No one who has been following the championship over the last decade
can doubt the danger of the Welsh under Warren Gatland. They know how to
win this title, while Scotland have faced many false dawns.
As ever the Six Nations, in its early stages, asks more questions
than it gives answers – and this is why we are compelled to return year
after year.
From=phnompenhpost
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