Now that the Six Nations is done and dusted for another year, it’s time to reflect on the latest instalment of the Northern Hemispher’s premier rugby championship. Did you enjoy the tournament this year? How did it compare to previous years? Rate it in our poll below, then leave your opinions in the comments section.
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38 replies on “Rate the tournament: Six Nations 2015”
Well it had highs and lows for each team, positives and negatives. England, Ireland and Wales all look in reasonable shape for the RWC, although none perfect. Would say Wales look the most complete team, although front row injuries might hurt. Great tournament, you might have called the correct finish order, but would you have called how they got there. Probably not!
Last day gets a triple Ding-Dong from me – never before has a triple Ding-Dong been given out – that’s the scale of it.
The “Big Wednesday” of Rugby – were all a little less innocent after it!
Staggy – “Would say Wales look the most complete team”
As probably the only person who was at all three matches (Lear Jet) I think I can say, without fear of successful contradiction, that Wales do not look the most complete team. One inane comment deserves another!
PEW PEW SHOTS FIRED!!!!!!
Incoming!!!!!!
DDD
Ok, let’s start with everyone reading what I said. “the most complete team” as in comparison to the others, not “a complete team”. I also said that all teams had positives and negatives to take from tHe 6N. I stand by my assessment. With the emergence of Biggar and Webb, I think that Wales have pretty much a complete backline. Ireland’s would be close, but still bedding in New centres particularly Payne, so not quite the finished article. Back row, Lydiate was better this year. They have good balance. Ireland also good when everyone fit, but that has been their problem. Locks – AWJ and Charteris were good, not brilliant. O’Connell and Toner also good. Front row for Wales good when fit as stated above. That is why I said “the most complete team” of the 6N.
As stated by many, not much to choose between Wales, Ireland and England, but Wales just a bit more settled, although they were the only one of the three to lose a home game I accept. Am happy to stand by the point that I made, not the one I am being accused of, but am not going to spend too long defending a team from another nation – I’ll leave that up to Brighty and the diplomat Enoch!
Staggy – I never said who I thought is the most complete team is as I don’t see the point really. Surely if you are going down that road the true barometer is the the final table! No?
Beyond that it’s you say – I say
DDD
My opinion and I’m happy to give you the benefit of it. Ireland won the 6N and were deserved winners. Does that mean I think that they were the most complete team – no. Isn’t most of rugby opinion I say you say? You don’t see the point and I do – oh look there we go again you say I say. You say that Wales aren’t the most complete team and then say that you won’t say who the most complete team is (but Ireland won the 6N). You say you say. There you go again.
Didn’t think Ireland had the Dingdongdanglies to dismantle Scotland like that given their attack so far in the tournament but they centainly proved me wrong
Congrats on a well deserve retention of the trophy
Leon – Bizarrely…… I’m a bit disappointed they did!!!! Can’t help but think Ireland wanted to win this tournament showing as little as possible – considering the target we had put on our back. It amazed me how people could think our Leinster stars could lose their mojo (perverse word that – I’ll say it again MOJO) so easily.
DDD
Could be worse you could have finished 2nd 4 years in a row
Think England are starting to be considered bottlers in the high pressure games and its difficult to argue with.
I would say it was a good tournament – a strong tournament in terms of 3 teams who are all knocking on the door. The established heavyweights of Wales, the new power of Ireland and the up-and-coming (though having trouble with the arriving) England team.
It’s probably the best all round 6 nations for years, although France have been a massive let down. Again. Such a shame.
But the final day makes it a 9 for me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a days rugby like that.
This was an outstanding six nations with only the Scotland v Italy game a real bore! Question I have is this.Why can’t we have games like we had on the week end ,with ball been thrown around and trys galore,the way rugby should be played on a more regular basis. The answer of course would,to much risk,don’t want to lose etc,however ,what a change it would be for us spectators!
An 8 for me. I suspect if you are Irish you’d have it as a 10, what a way to finish.
For me it was a tournament high on excitement but low on quality until the final round, which is understandable in a WC year.
Ireland the most consistent side and deserved (just) winners. Was Schmidt the difference? Ireland certainly more assured than I have ever seen and handled the favourite tag well. For Ireland they could be a victim of their own success as I can see him being poached by the All Black’s if Hansen moves on post WC.
Both England and Wales should feel disappointed at coming up short. England for being the perpetual almost team (when will the lessons be learned) and Wales because they had the most settled and experienced side of the championship and would have expected to do better at home to England. Wales to me look a better side with Scott Williams. England still looking for a 12 of substance. Still Ford and Youngs look like a promising combo, I hope they are not jettisoned when Farrell is fit. And please Mr Lancaster when a player (like B Youngs) is having the game of his life don’t effing sub him for a lesser player. Madness.
Quite where this championship leaves Scotland is anyone’s guess.
I enjoyed the tournament; i wouldn’t say any team is “complete” as was put above; work to be done by all.
England seem to be great at finding the gap on the offense which was demonstrated against France on the final day; recycle recycle recycle find the gap and go. Get’s them huge yardage and multiple tries; although they lose possession to often (79 turnovers conceeded). Im sure many will disagree with my assessment on that but just my opinion.
Ireland, well they have a great game working for them as evident in winning the tournament but they really need a plan b, they played a different style yesterday to the usual which worked but they can’t seem to switch when under pressure as evident in the Wales game, could be a communication issue causing there problems im not sure but they have the talent just need to work on it.
Wales, well I think they have the stronger of the defenses (most of the time) although bit disappointed in there defensive effort yesterday, I think they need to find more ways of creating space maybe work on the cross field kick like Ireland utilize, or just get the wingers moving in a little more to do quick paces into space. They really need more tries relying maybe moving around some of the faster lads could do that. Someone mentioned bringing on Williams and moving Halfpenny onto the wing, not sure how I feel about it particularly but maybe that’s the solution.
So, just considering for a moment. If Sarto puts a foot in touch or JD2 doesn’t spill the ball in the final minutes Wales probably take the title. If Heaslip doesn’t prevent the Hogg touchdown England take it.
There’s nothing between these teams. Nothing. And Ireland deserve the title.
You could play this game all day – That way madness lies –
IF France had a kicker England would have been nowhere near
IF Nakaitaci”s studs were longer England would be Champions
IF Wayne Barnes wasn’t an arse – Ireland GS (no amount of “expert” analysis of “the black art” will convince me otherwise so don’t bother trying to convince me)
IF Gatland wasn’t a plank (for Brighty);-0
IF my aunt had a dick…….
DDD
I find is oddly funny, Hogg was annoyed it wasn’t awarded i reckon he was prolly in the locker room whining after the game, but then at the end of the day he is prolly cheering happy since england didn’t get the title – may even send heaslip some scotch as a thank you lol
(note: this is a joke, scotland v england rivalry n all)
well, sure, I agree, but I’m just delighted by the fine margins that seperated these 3 fine sides. It’s what made this tournament so special. And the Sarto and Hogg moments are especially telling.
Made great theatre, I had trouble sleeping last night because of the amazing sequence of events.
So strange that dingdongdenny has suddenly re-appeared after his conspicuous absence all week following the Wales victory over Ireland ! this, after his previous post about Ireland could ‘ put any team out to beat Wales’. Overall Ireland are champions & deservedly so but although it is obvious Wales do not look ‘the complete team’ they were complete enough to beat Ireland !!.
Stesco a little lesson – if you are going to quote someone you have to quote what they said
quote /kw??t/
verb
1. repeat or copy out (words from a text or speech written or spoken by another person).
@Stesco “this, after his previous post about Ireland could ‘ put any team out to beat Wales’.”
I never said that – Show me where you think I said it and I’lll send you a blue lobster!!
DDD
Stesco – Didn’t know you cared! – FYI my post Wales v Ireland game included
dingdongdenny March 14, 2015 at 4:29 pm – Reply
Congratulations Wales – great performance – great defending.
DDD
dingdongdenny March 14, 2015 at 4:50 pm – Reply
I rate it a Dingdong! – Not good for the health!
Wales defended heroically – congratulations.
DDD
Lukov March 14, 2015 at 4:58 pm – Reply
Brutal defence by Wales, great atmosphere in the stadium. Stunning silence for kickers of both sides. Could’ve gone either way tho, Wayne Barnes was the margin
dingdongdenny March 14, 2015 at 5:05 pm – Reply
Yeah the defence was brutal and heroic at times but think the heroic stuff outweighed the brutal – they won – so beyond that it’s coulda woulda shoulda!
DDD
Really think you need to keep up to speed.
PS “they were complete enough to beat Ireland !!.” But not to become 6 nation champions – I don’t make excuses.
DDD
DDD you could add the comment above about how it was Barnes fault that you lost it? We all knew you didn’t really mean anything nice you said about Wales….
As for before the match, without directly quoting you, I believe you said the match was a gimme for Ireland or words to that effect, based on the Irish record in Cardiff?
I think that record was the wrong one to look at. Should have looked at the one where age thin Jenkins has more Grand Slams than Ireland and was determined to keep it that way? 😉
Gethin. Autocorrect.
Brighty – As I subsequently pointed out – I only made the original statement to put you off your M&S prawn sandwich as it was coming up to lunch. Records!? I never base any of my judgments on facts – It was me waters – me waters are telling me we will hockey you in the “friendlies” LOL PHEW! PHEW!
As for Barnes —- all refs are arseholes except for Nigel Owens (although there was that incident) – so Wales can never be involved in the greatest game in history because they will never have Nigel as a ref. Life is cruel – isn’t it.
As for nice things about Wales? I like Wales – always have – it’s Gatland that brings blood to my shoulders – plank!
You friend and lover of all things Welsh
DDD
Dyni’n dwlu ti eto DDD,
Also – something we agree on! Crying shame Wales can’t be reffed by Nigel. I don’t understand why not though if Ireland can be reffed by O’Connel and Murray?
Yeah! and Alun Wyn Jones is a wallflower.
DDD
And as JP Doyle has come through the English system can he referee Ireland and if he can’t then can he referee England?
Brighty – just checked – you agreed with me – Ireland by 7 – what record were you going by or was it your waters too?
DDD
Must add that I loved seeing the re-emergence of Gallic flair at Twickenham. Please, please PSA, let us see it again. Props finishing off 60m breaks, hookers slight of hand, smooth running in the backs. This is what we want from France, not stodgy heavy forward orientated bish bosh. And while I’m at it, the same goes for you Mr Gatland. I told you to use your backs and look what happens when you do!
You have my apologies DDD…. I was in Paris last weekend so did not see your most magnaminous posts 🙂
Oh btw is this what you are looking for …
http://healthyfastfood.biz/giant-blue-lobster/giant-blue-lobster-2/
Blue Lobster –
If you are back in Paris you can get it vacuum packed for the plane in Da Rosa on the Rue de Seine
DDD
Loved it, a 9.
– Wales came back strong. Encouraging for the world cup.
– now have some great depth in some positions, can actually slot in as good players (2nd row, hooker, wings, fullback, centres, backrow)
– intense defensive matches at the beginning and free flowing massive scorers at the end.
– proper tribal encounters.
– Was fun seeing Inverdale looking sick twice.
– had the best game of rugby I’ve ever seen – Wales v Ireland and then some contenders for 2nd best
Things I hated
– Friday nights
– discos
– two hapless teams so far out of their depth that it’s beginning to taint the tournament. We need to work together on improving them.
– the French waiting until the final weekend to pass
– Wales waiting until the final weekend to pass
– Ireland waiting until….
– English/Welsh rugby constantly being used as an excuse to hark back to class war, colonialism, privilege, etc.
– losing Samson Lee
– “credit in the bank” and pre-timed substitutions from the management accountancy school of coaching
– John Inverdale
You will undoubtedly be pleased to hear John Inverdale is heading ITV’s coverage of the World Cup then. At least you can watch Wales’ games on S4C (if you speak welsh?).
I recently discovered S4C has an English language on the red button
Happy days
Sacrilige Leon. Cefnogi dy iaith.
(I know, my welsh grammar sucks).
Brilliant tournament. This is the first time I’m going to seriously question SL. Yes Saturday resulted in some great rugby for the neutral, but England completely mismanaged the game from the start – it was like a 7s match!
The first 40 we should have even had the points target in our mind, yet it seemed to be all we were thinking about.
Bringing Youngs off was absolute madness.
On a plus sides, England do have a good squad of close to 30 that I’d be happy to see starting for England. Negative is that none of those 30 players are 12s.
SL summed himself up for me with the substitutions on Saturday. Great play for most of the match but crucial decisions make a change. Lineout on oppo 5 with a chance to make the champ winning score? Sorry Geoff, it’s your time to come off as we agreed… Ben Youngs having the game of his life? 60 mins Ben, now run along and play fair so Richard can have a turn as we agreed.
Some will say that he’s great, 3 4/5s on the trot etc. but he has enough good players and enough basic coaching approach to get them to “good”. What he can’t seem to do is leave his rigorous schoolmaster approach alone for long enough to get them to “great”. The difference at the top is in single digit percentages. Gats and Schmidt understand this and have got their teams over the line.
Can’t help but agree with all of that. The substitutions drove me crazy – Youngs coming off was madness. The timing of the Parling sub was bizarre more so than the substitution itself.
But 4/5 from every 6 nations he has coached points to an extremely good record. We’ve only lost at home once under him in the 6 nations (back in 2012) – so he is doing loads right.
Still don’t blame him for everything mind you. He’s turned an England side with very few “stars” into a seriously competitive outfit against anyone. England have Robshaw not Warburton, Haskell not O’Mahoney, Burrell not Roberts – I could go on. But in reality, outside of the front 5, none of our players would even be considered when piecing together a World XV, yet as a team we seem to be constantly competing against anyone.
some pretty dire games and and some poor performances from all teams at one point or another, however it all worked out very well in terms of setting up one hell of a grandstand finish with each team needing to outperform the last agaisnt increasingly tough opposition.
First 4 rounds 5/10
Last round 10/10
Overall Tournament 7/10
Sorry but no
Just no