Six Nations (From The Northern Echo)

Six Nations

8:47pm Monday 23rd March 2009

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The annual battle to see who is Europe’s top international rugby side kicked off in early February. Each of the 6 sides had their aims and aspirations for the tournament. Reigning champions Wales were looking for back to back Grand Slams, whilst Ireland, under new coach Declan Kidney were aiming to shake off the tag of being the nearly men of the championship. England also had new management, with Martin Johnson now in charge. He was looking to reverse a disastrous run of form that had seen the former World champions win just 1 game since last year’s 6 Nations. France wanted to regain the consistency that had seen them become one of the World’s elite sides, whilst Scotland and Italy hoped not to finish with the wooden spoon. Players of the 4 home nations had the opportunity to stake a claim for a place in this summer’s Lions squad. But the main incentive was national pride. This was a key motivational factor as the teams did battle to see who would come of this championship on top.

The tournament kicked off at Twickenham, where England hosted Italy. The Italians, suffering a player shortage in the key scrum half position, opted to fill the gap with Mauro Bergamasco, a flanker. It proved a costly decision, as Bergamasco made 3 errors which led to 3 English tries. Andy Goode, Harry Ellis and Ricki Flutey all crossed over to put England in a commanding position. Bergamasco was replaced at half time, but it didn’t stop the England tries, with Ellis grabbing a second and Mark Cueto also getting in on the act. But England had been far from impressive, and allowed Mirco Bergamasco over for a consolation try. Despite the lacklustre performance, England were happy with the 36-11 victory.

After a sluggish opener came an absolute cracker at Croke Park, were Ireland played host to France. A try from Imanol Harinordoquy put France 7-3 up, before Jamie Heaslip replied for Ireland, as the home side led 13-10 at the break. Brian O’Driscoll’s try put Ireland further ahead, only for France to peg them back through a try from Medard. Gordon D’Arcy’s try seemed to have clinched the game for Ireland. Lionel Beauxis’ penalty however, pulled France within a converted try of victory. Ronan O’Gara did seal victory for the home side with a penalty of his own as Ireland won 30 points to 21.

Holders Wales began their campaign at Murrayfield, away to Scotland. The Welsh started well, with tries from Tom Shanklin and Alun-Wyn Jones giving the visitors a 16-3 half time lead. 2 more tries after half time, one for Shane Williams and the other for Leigh Halfpenny pushed Wales to a 26-3 lead. They took their foot off the gas late on, allowing Max Evans to cross for a consolation try, but the game was already Wales’, as they ran out 26-13.

The 2nd round of fixtures began in Paris, where France entertained Scotland. A tight 1st half ended with France leading 6-3. Fulgence Ouedraogo got the 1st try of the game just after half time, putting France into a 10 point lead. A couple of penalties extended France’s lead to 16. Thom Evans’ try briefly gave the Scots hope of a comeback, but Beauxis’ late penalty secured a 22-13 win for the French.

England, desperately needing a good performance faced the daunting tasking of tacking Wales in Cardiff. They started sloppily, ill-discipline gift wrapping Wales 3 penalties and a 9-0 lead. But England fought back, Paul Sackey scoring a try after Andy Goode’s chip. Goode then added a drop goal to cut Wales’ lead to just a single point. Wales then stepped up a gear, Halfpenny’s try helping them to 1 20-8 win. Delon Armitage crossed as England closed the gap to 5. However, Steven Jones’ penalty ensured Wales held off an improved England, winning 23-15.

Italy faced Ireland in Rome in the final game of Matchday 2, and the Italians took a surprise 6-0 lead, thanks to 2 Luke McLean penalties. However, tries from Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald put Ireland in control. In the 2nd half, they cut loose, with tries from David Wallace, O’Driscoll and Fitzgerald securing an impressive 38-9 win.

The middle weekend began with the first ever Friday night 6 Nations match, as France hosted Wales. Within 24 minutes, Wales looked to be cruising to win number 3 of the championship, Lee Byrne’s try guiding them to a 13-3 lead. A close range try from Thierry Dusautoir levelled the game at 13 all. A Heymans try after half time put France ahead, the 2 sides then traded a penalty each, as France won 21-16 to end Welsh hopes of consecutive Grand Slams.

In what would ultimately be the wooden spoon decider, Scotland took on Italy at Murrayfield. A 1st half try from Simon Danielli helped the Scots to a 16-3 half time lead. Scott Gray’s 2nd half try killed Italian hops of a comeback, as Scotland eased to a 26-6 win.

At Croke Park, Ireland took on England. The 1st half was incredibly dull and unattractive, with the sides level at 3-3 at the break. Brian O’Driscoll’s drop goal and then try breathed life into the game at last. With the score at 14-6, Delon Armitage grabbed a late try to put England just a point behind. However, they couldn’t snatch a win, and went down 14-13. The penultimate round of fixtures kicked off in Rome, where Italy took on a Wales side still stunned by their defeat to France. Despite a Sane Williams try, Italy looked like claiming a shock victory, as 5 penalties from the boot of Andrea Marcato put Italy 15-13 in front. Then with less than 10 minutes to play, Shanklin broke through a stubborn Italian defence and scored a late try to break Italian hearts and steal a 20-15 victory for Wales.

Ireland, the only side with a 100% record, travelled to Murrayfield to face Scotland. Both sides exchanged penalties, with the hosts leading 12-9 at the break. Eventually though, Ireland proved too strong, Heaslip scoring what turned out to be the only try of the match. More points from the boot of O’Gara secured a 22-15 win for Ireland. The Grand Slam was just 1 win away.

England, aiming to make Twickenham a fortress, took on a confident France. But England destroyed the French, with 4 first half tries, Cueto, Flutey, Armitage and Joe Worsley the try scorers. Flutey added another just after half time, and, although tries from Szarzewski and Malzieu cut the deficit, the damage was already done as England ran out 34-10 winners.

The final round of matches began in Rome, with Italy looking to gain their first win of the tournament against a shellshocked France. But France bounced back from the Twickenham mauling in emphatic style. Chabal, Trinh-Duc, Medard, Heymans and Domingo all ran in tries. Italy restored a small amount of pride, with Sergio Parisse registering only their 2nd try of the whole tournament. A rampant France grabbed 2 more tries, Medard and Malzieu rubbing salt into Italian wounds. The 50 points to 8 win will go some way to rebuilding shattered French confidence.

A rejuvenated England took on a struggling Scotland at Twickenham. England looked on course for an easy win as Ugo Monye and Ricki Flutey tries eased them into a 15-3 half time lead. Toby Flood’s penalty made it 18-3, but 3 Scottish penalties pulled the Scots within striking range. A late Danny Care drop goal and Matthew Tait try did earn England a 26-12 win.

The title decider, Wales v Ireland in Cardiff was a fitting way to end the championship. Wales had to win by 13 to win the title, and were 6-0 up at the break thanks to 2 Steven Jones penalties. Ireland killed off Welsh title hopes with 2 tries just after half time from O’Driscoll and Tommy Bowe. Back came Wales, looking to end with a win, and 2 penalties and a drop goal 5 minutes from the end seemed to have denied Ireland the Grand Slam. Then, with just 2 and a half minutes remaining, O’Gara popped over a drop goal to swing the game back in Ireland’s favour. Then, Wales won a penalty. The last kick of the game. From 48 metres, Steven Jones had the chance to win the game for Wales. The kick was short Ireland had won by 17 points to 15 and most importantly, their 1st Grand Slam in 61 years. It was tense, but in the end, the best team won. Ireland, the tournament’s most consistent side of recent years finally won the title and a Grand Slam. England, the runners up, are showing signs of a return to former glories under Martin Johnson, but need to become more consistent. The same can be said for France. A reality check for Wales, who seemed to lose their way after the defeat to France, while Scotland and Italy remain a good long way behind the rest in this championship. This year though, belongs to Ireland, the deserved winners of a thoroughly enjoyable 6 Nations.

By Chris Sykes

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