So there it was. The first weekend of the Six Nations 2012. The pundits had it down as a straight fight between France and Ireland, with Wales a shoe-in for third and England, Scotland and Italy fighting out for the also-ran places. It re-affirms my belief that you don't have to have played International rugby to have a reasonable opinion, but that just because you have played it, doesn't mean you're an expert.
Enough of the build-up, let's look at the action.
France welcomed Italy to a baltic Stade de France, and Italy were like a diesel car which struggles to start on a cold morning. France were their usual Rolls Royce selves though, purring into action quickly as Rougerie ghosted under the posts to give them the lead. The dogged Italians were determined to build on last year's win though and took their chances (penalty and drop goal from Burton) to stay close, but Malzieu, who had lready made a stunning break from his own 22, was on hand to take a pass from the excellent Picamoles and stroll over to give France a 15-6 lead.
The second half saw a chip through and chase by the French, with Trinh-duc further kicking ahead with the help of the outside of his ankle and then Rougerie thighing the ball for sniffer Clerc to get his try. Still enough time for Fofana, who had an excellent second half, to show his class and go in the corner. 30-12 the Final score, and the French had showed enough to be installed as hot hot favourites for the tournament.
England and Scotland served up a bit of a damp squib in perfect conditions for rugby. England started well, belaying fears that their inexperience would see them nervous. The points didn't come though as they had difficulty penetrating deep into Scottish defences. Dan Parks kicked the necessary points to give the hosts a 6-3 lead, Farrell responding with a trademark cool penalty.
The second half burst into life, with Hodgson charging down a Parks kick and diving on the loose ball to score a try that Farrell converted. Scotland though were picking holes in England's defence on frequent occasions. Denton, Gray and Rennie all went through but failed to find hands when the try line beckoned. England's defence was patchy. Some stunning hits from Barritt and Turner-Hall when he replaced him, but some falling off of the tackle leading to a need for first Foden with a last ditch tackle, then Ashton with a classy piece of sweeping and a touch find, to keep the line intact. Farrell's late penalty saw England stretch to a 7 point lead, and try as they might, Scotland could not cross the line. That's 4 Internationals in a row without a try - their last 5 pointers coming late in a stuttering win over Romania in the World Cup.
To Sunday, the most anticipated game, and the best. Ireland hosted Wales hoping to reverse the World Cup Quarter Final result and to avenge the controversial loss in Cardiff last year (when the whiter than white Welsh unknowingly scored a try having taken a quick line-out with the wrong ball). This sort of thing makes me go against Wales when watching as a neutral, as I am sure many Welsh say about the English. Hey... if it's good for the goose....
Wales started very well against Ireland, in everything except the set-piece, which Ireland's experienced line-up dominated. Jonathan Davies ghosted in the corner after Ryan Jones thought he had opened the score, and it was no less than the Welsh deserved. Priestland hit the post with the conversion though, and it looked like the home side, with Sexton kicking slightly the better and Priestland missing again from close in, would take a stranglehold when Best finished a good move and Sexton converted to add to an earlier penalty. 10-5 to the Irish at half-time in a close and high quality game.
Wales made changes at half-time, with Warburton limping off and Cuthbert savagely culled for sloppy defence leading to Best's try. Ireland's midfield looked porous with D'Arcy known weakness in defence seeming to transfer to McFadden, who proved that it isn't a given that you will take club form to international level. Davies added a second try for Wales, and with Halfpenny taking over kicking duties and knocking over a couple of penalties, Ireland needed a Bowe try and 2 more Sexton penalties to maintain a short lead. Then it all kicked off! Bradley Davies got involved with Donnacha Ryan off the ball and spear tackled him into the ground. Worse, much worse, than Warburton's in the RWC Semi Final. Pearson, the touch judge, saw it and advised yellow card, ridiculously and Davies wandered off shaking his head and swearing. The citing commissioner will almost certainly see that that is Davies's last involvement in this year's 6 Nations. 4 minutes from time, North bullocked over and gave Wales hope, though Priestland's missed conversion left Wales 1 point adrift. There was still time for a twist though as Wayne Barnes gave a late penalty to Wales for a Ferris dangerous tackle. This was never a dangerous tackle, never a penalty and certainly not a yellow card. Halfpenny slotted the 3 points and that was that. Wales edged a quality encounter 23-21.
Let's not get this wrong. Wales thoroughly deserved to win. They were by far the better side. That said, being the better side isn't everything. Scotland proved that the day before. For Wales, having thrown the chance away, to be given a lifeline with such an awful piece of late refereeing, especially given the shenanigans in Cardiff last year, was appalling. Still, it's done and dusted. Ireland blew their chances, Wales made the most of theirs, and the history books will show Wales won.
Team of Week 1
Alex Corbisiero (Eng) - Best performance for England so far
Rory Best (Ire) - Try topped off a performance that deserved a win. Best hooker in Britain
Mike Ross (Ire) - Set solid platform with his tight five partners. String in scrum.
Paul O'Connell (Ire) - Led from the front, but lacking in support from behind
Richie Gray (Sco) - Offered a lot at set-piece and in loose
Ryan Jones (Wal) - Best game in a Welsh shirt in years.
Julien Bonnaire (Fra) - Quietly efficient in a solid French back row performance
Louis Picamoles (Fra) - Back with a bang, leaving Harinordoquy on the bench.
Mike Phillips (Wal) - Bossed Murray and used his size and pace to great effect
Francois Trinh-Duc (Fra) - He can't kick, but as a running fly half with a touch of genius, he continues to prove his doubters wrong
Julien Malzieu (Fra) - Returned to the side with a stunning Man of the Match performance
Wesley Fofana (Fra) - After a slightly dodgy start, a stunning second half performance capped with a try. 2 words - The Future
Jonathan Davies (Wal) - 2 tries and a performance that simply ground the Irish centres into submission
George North (Wal) - Lomu-esque at times. He has a very bright future if he can stay fit and keep his pace
Rob Kearney (Ire) - Back to his very best, defending and attacking under high balls and offering danger whenever he had the ball in hand
5 Frenchmen, 4 Welshmen, 4 Irishmen, 1 Scot and 1 Englishman. A fair reflection on the quality of the teams' performances I would say.
Incredible tension and drama then to start the show. Next weekend sees Italy host England then France host the Irish, before Wales take on Scotland in Cardiff.
God I love this time of year!
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