What is Rugby?

France coach Marc Lievremont is caught on camera, France training session, Marcoussis, France, March 17, 2010. © Getty images.

As we head into the final round of this years 6 Nations Championship, the picture is pretty clear at this point. France is on course to take home the Grand Slam after a 6 year sabbatical and deservedly so. Wales aside, France have dominated every team they have faced, scoring the most tries than any other nation in the tournament. Ireland are on their way too seize their fifth Triple Crown in seven years, no small feat considering before 2004 when their impressive run began, they had only won five in the history of the entire tournament. They could still manage to win the Championship if England can defeat France and if Ireland can close the gap of a 50 point differential that France has. Unlikely, but possible. Ireland managed to bounce back from a humiliating defeat at the hands of France to absolutely stifle opposing teams with their stingy defence. It’s a shame that the powers that be don’t make France v. Ireland the final match in the tournament. Just imagine, Grand Slam and Championship on the line between clearly the two best teams in Europe.

On the bleaker side of things we have a potential wooden spoon match between Wales and Italy. If Scotland manage to spoil Ireland’s send off from the historic Croke Park, Wales could find themselves holding the wooden spoon should they lose to Italy, something that is very possible. Wales have been the tournament’s biggest disappointment this year after a lack of discipline, weak defense and careless errors cost them at least two victories. There is a wealth of talent on this team but Warren Gatland has to have a long, hard look at his side as there is some cause for concern with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner.

Italy took a small step forward in my opinion this year even though they are miles away from really competing in this tournament. Every team had a difficult time putting Italy away this year with the exception of France and even still, Italy fought hard right to the end. It was always, “this side wasn’t able to put Italy away” as if Italy is that dreadful and couldn’t of possibly just been a tough team. I give more credit to Italy for actually putting up a fight rather than teams faltering against them.

Scotland has shown loads of promise despite more than likely holding a second consecutive wooden spoon. They hung in with France, had an agonizing defeat against Wales and drew even with England despite being the better side. Scotland’s tight five is very solid and their backs showed a great deal of creativity with ball in hand and were never afraid to go after it. I think there’s a lot of room for improvement with this team and I expect them to be a strong side come the World Cup.

Then there is England, a close second to Wales as most disappointing team in the tournament. I never understood why this team was so hyped up by the media entering the tournament, something that was reinforced after a dramatic opening victory over Wales. Given what we know now, I think all would agree that victory was more indicative of Wales than it was England. Martin Johnson has drawn criticism week after week for not changing up his side and for being overly optimistic about his sides performance. It’s hard to think Johnson could lose his job after the tournament, but it wouldn’t surprise me. England are a proud nation and boast the largest number of rugby players in the world. One columnist has gone as far as calling England “the laughing stock of the tournament”. That’s hard for me to swallow personally, but it’s not far off. Lets have a look at this weeks action.

France v. England:

France head into this match up with their sights set on winning the Grand Slam, something French manager Marc Lievermont believes that without it, the tournament would be a failure. An added bonus would be exacting revenge against England after last year’s 34-14 drubbing at Twickenham. There no logical reason to believe that England have a prayer in this one after three consecutive pitiful performances. No team has been able to handle the French backs this year and if England has one glaring weakness, it’s the back defence. England have managed to defeat France two out of the last three test matches though, so don’t hand France the trophy yet. England could surprise everyone and steal this one away. If England can somehow manage to go up on France, it just might be enough to rattle the Frogs and throw them off their game.

Martin Johnson finally succumbed to the media’s criticism of his selections and has made some changes, albeit obvious ones to his side. The biggest change is Johnson dropping Johnny Wilkinson for Toby Flood, only the second time Wilko has been benched. Clearly Johnson is looking for a more attack minded fly half, as Johnny has provided nothing of the sort. What he sacrifices though is the reliable boot of Wilkinson. If you’re looking to shake things up and want a more attack minded approach to this match, why not throw caution into the wind and bring in Shane Geraghty? He’s young, raw and cocky enough to just maybe blow this match open. Most believe he’s not test-capable despite his success this year at the club level, but at this point what has Johnson got to lose? Johnson insists his side is improving and that things aren’t as bad as people make them out to be, but statistics and common sense among other things suggest otherwise. Ironically enough, Johnson faces a manager who in the past two years has drawn a load of criticism for constantly changing his side and removing popular, talented, yet aging players. Here we are now and after Lievermont going through over 80 different players in test matches over the past two years, he appears to have found his team and at no better a time. Johnson could benefit from taking a page out of Lievermont’s play book.

I really don’t see this one being close. I think England’s pack is way over matched in this one as are their backs. I see France hanging 30+ points on England and Imanol Harinordiquy having a field day against the English flankers and earning man of the match honors.

Ireland v. Scotland:

Another match up for Ireland, another back story. It seems as though there is always something extra to Ireland’s matches lately doesn’t it? Four weeks ago was John Hayes 100th cap, last week was Brian O’Driscoll’s 100th cap and now against Scotland, Ireland will play it’s last match at the storied Croke Park before christening the new Lansdowne Road Aviva Stadium (I just can’t bring myself to call it Aviva Stadium, it’s a sin). Ireland have been very impressive lately with their backs finding gaps and opportunities to score. Ireland don’t seem to get a lot of possession, but when they do, they make the most of it. Their defence has been masterful as of late, putting sides in a choke hold when they pressure to score. Declan Kidney has decided to stick with his winning side, with only Gordon D’Arcy maybe missing the clash pending his fitness test. Kidney and O’Driscoll have been doing an excellent job of keeping the focus on the importance of winning the Triple Crown and I expect them to show the Croke Park crowd a wonderful display of rugby.

Scotland have been known to spoil Irish parties and their tight five are key to that happening. Their backs pose a bit of a threat as well as they are not afraid to run with the ball. Most of Scotland’s attack though is forced and ill-advised and the way Ireland have been playing defence, Scotland are going to have to be a little more cautious. Scotland though have no choice but to go for broke in this one. They’ve yet to secure a win in the tournament and more so than any other side, have nothing to lose. Despite Scotland having a formidable back line, I don’t think there is the experience there to stop Ireland. I think Ireland will have some problems at the breakdowns but once the ball gets in the hands of the Irish backs, it’s going to be off to the races.

Italy v. Wales:

“Johnson wields the axe” was the title of an article regarding Martin Johnson’s changes to his side, but it pales in comparison to the guilotine Warren Gatland has wielded. The two most surprising changes come at the expense of Martyn Williams, who only a week ago was leading his side against Ireland and Leigh Halfpenny, who was dropped from the 22 altogether. In place of Martyn Williams comes Sam Warburton, the Cardiff Blues flanker who many in the Welsh media have called for to replace an aging Williams. For Leigh Hlafpenny, Gatland has handed Tom Prydie his first cap at the age of 18 years old, a new Welsh record. It hasn’t been a secret as to what has troubled Wales in this tournament. Yet week after week, it’s the same story. Gatland, unlike his counterpart Johnson, is using this opportunity to answer some questions about his side with the World Cup right around the corner. I would expect Wales to really go after Italy in this one and after watching the French backs have their way with Italy, Wales have the same tools to do the same. I think this one will be a high scoring affair with Wales putting close to 40 points on the Azzurri.