Six Nations Weekend
I found out yesterday that some of my colleagues at Maynooth were planning to go to a pub to watch the first match of the new Six Nations competition last night. They were optimistic, but I thought it was going to be a very tough match for Ireland in Marseille. Despite the absence of Dupont and Ntamack I thought home advantage would prove decisive. I am very happy that I was proved wrong. It was a comprehensive victory for Ireland, 38-17. I bet the Maynooth contingent enjoyed the game! I never imagined a bonus point win for Ireland nor did I think I’d ever see a French side so unimaginative in attack and so porous in defence.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that last weekend I was confident that Australia would beat the West Indies and India would beat England in their respective test matches. I was wrong on both counts. Clearly my predictive powers are limited!)
The remaining two games of the first round were played today. England beat Italy by 27-24 in a game of much lower quality. Italy were OK in the first half, but offered very little in the second until with the game virtually over they scored a fine try that gave them a losing bonus point. I think the scoreline flattered Italy a bit, though I don’t think England were particularly impressive.
The last game, Wales versus Scotland in Cardiff, turned out to be very exciting. Wales were dreadful in the first half, and trailed 20-0 at half time. When Scotland scored another try to make it 27-0 Wales looked a beaten side and I feared they would be walloped by 50 points or more. Then Wales scored a try, Scotland had Turner sent to the sin bin and Wales ran riot, scoring three more tries. With ten minutes left to play, Wales were within a point and with the wind in their sails, and Scotland imploding, looked the likelier team to win. They had a good chance too, but messed up a lineout in a good position and lost the ball. Scotland almost scored at the death but it finished 26-27, Wales netting two bonus points after a stirring revival that almost brought them victory.
It’s dangerous to draw too many conclusions from the first round of matches, but I can make one prediction with some confidence: neither France nor Wales nor Italy will do a Grand Slam in 2024.
In the Dark 
February 3, 2024 at 9:08 pm
Ireland obviously played very well, and only Scotland look good enough to try stop them winning championship again. Typical French performance though sulking a bit after disappointment of World cup, and didn’t look much interested in the game.
February 4, 2024 at 10:46 pm
I had to miss this one match worth watching in the 2024 Six Nations because of an prior engagement. Congratulations to Ireland, who look unstoppable for this year’s title. I hope the Northern Hemisphere will continue its levelling up and that a northern team will take the 2027 World Cup.
Should Italy continue to be in the Six Nations or should it revert to five? The hope in admitting them was that they would gradually level up with the other five. But they haven’t.
February 5, 2024 at 9:26 am
I think there should be a Division 2, with promotion and relegation. Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Georgia, Romania and the rest should be given a chance.
February 5, 2024 at 9:37 am
Good idea!
March 16, 2024 at 5:31 pm
Evidently my words stung the Italian rugby team, who have since stuffed the Scots and the Welsh in this season’s Six Nations tournament.
March 16, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Yes, an ignominious end for Wales who get the wooden spoon. The margin look liked being much bigger, but they woke up a bit in the second half like they did against Scotland in the first week.
Ireland are Champions after their tense match against Scotland. With St Patrick’s Day tomorrow, there’ll be some celebrations in Dublin tonight!
The late game between France and England is now essentially a playoff for 2nd place.
March 16, 2024 at 7:02 pm
I’m just off to the pub for France vs England. It can’t be worse than last year…