Originally written on Friday, 30. March 2007.

Well, depending on your point of view, the best team came first or second.

France clinched their second Title in two years, but were less than thoroughly convincing, which, if they are hoping to take England’s crown of World Champions later this year, on home soil, then they will need to improve in greater leaps and bounds than a gazelle being chased by a pack of very hungry hyenas.

On the way to the French victory, the scored a last minute try against the Irish and were less than convincing against Scotland, scraping past the required point tally by a meagre two. LaPort will be cherishing the silverware, and the moment, but, if this is what the French have to offer later in 2007, then the World Cup is not going to be a ‘home win.’ Still, it could be argued that, as is the case for all great champions, across all sports, they dug in, the fought and they pushed until the last, the reward being, well, the reward.

France won four of their five games, the defeat coming against a fluctuating England, who, under Brian Ashton, showed sparks, small, in-frequent, but sparks none the less, of the flair, expanse and forward power that brought them the Trophy four years ago. The fact that France beat Italy, Scotland Ireland and Wales, is by no means a ‘shoe in’ for glory later this year, and the French rugby public must be wondering where they will improve [they know where they needto improve] and if they are capable.

Lets be frank. France are an excellent rugby nation. On their day, they can, and often do, beat the very best in the world [and by that I mean the Blacks, the Whites and the Wallabies] but too often, far too often, they choke on the big day. World Cup 2003, France ‘v’ England ?. Six Nations 2007 ‘England ‘v’ France? On both occasions, England were the better team, but it was almost as if the French really could not be bothered. Temperamental ? Emotional ? Gallic ? You choose the adjective.

So what of England ? If you are English, and of a romantic persuasion, you may see some parallels between World Cup 2003 and World Cup 2007. You don’t ? Well, let me show you. England spent the previous 12 months [end of 2002 and the rest of 2003] touring, building a squad and team mentality. They went on tour and put a marker down, beating the Blacks on their own turf for the first time, in, well, in a long time. They built momentum, they improved. Individually, they had some excellent players, but they were a team, rather than a collection of excellent players. All too often, New Zealand have been 15 of the best players in the world at any one time, but have failed to gel as a team. In 2003, England gelled as a team.

In 2007, under Ashton, England are starting, only startingto gel as team. Robinson was probably the right man in the wrong job for England. He did an excellent job as Sir Clive’s forward coach, but failed to get a grip of the England job as a whole. Ashton seems to getting a grip. Yes, England lost to Ireland in the biggest defeat ever to Ireland, even taking into account the Croke Park effectit was a bad day for English rugby. And we lost to Wales. Always, ALWAYS a bad day, losing to Wales.

However, England started supremely well as they took Scotland apart [who themselves were bitterly disappointing as a squad this year], they were magnificent in their win against our Gallic cousins, but were inconsistent [at best] in the win over Italy. A solid second 40 mins saw England past the Italians, who, in turn, had their best tournament ever.

Italy, frankly, were brilliant. They finished fourth, above Wales and Scotland. They scored more tries than both Wales and Scotland and in fact, beat both Wales and Scotland, they first time they have ever won two games back to back in this, or any other tournament. Italy finished fourth in the table, just behind England who were third.

They also scored more tries than Scotland and Wales, with nine, against seven each for Blue and Red. In the past, Italy could be described as ‘hard working’ for 60 mins, but amateurish for the last 20 mins, often conceding the game winning tries in the last 20 mins or so. But not this time, they were solid throughout the 80 mins, and in fact, scored late tries themselves, against the Scots and, probably most importantly in determining where the title finally went, against Ireland, scoring two in the last ten mins or so.

So what of Ireland? They played good, expansive rugby, they were the tables top scores with 17 tries, one better than France and a massive seven better than England. But, they were sloppy, in two games, in the last few mins. And that cost them the title. France beat them in the last minute with a converted try, and Italy, although they lost to Ireland, heavily, scored those two late tries which helped France who in turn needed a less impressive win over Scotland.

Scotland were perhaps the biggest disappointment during this tournament. Before the ball was thrown, the first ruck was turned or the first fist was thrown, Scotland proclaimed themselves so confident that they would, at least, take this Triple Crown. A proud and massive boast indeed. Sadly, this did not happen. Throughout the entire tournament, they were nip and tuck, push and shove, heave and ho with Wales for the biggest ignominy of them all, the Wooden Spoon.

In the end, it was points difference that gave Scotland the cutlery, -58 points to the Welsh -27. Wales deserved the Spoon, Scotland, on average, were better than Wales, although the 21 – 9 win over wales, [seven penalties to three] was hardly impressive, but the 18 – 19 defeat to Ireland, a game that frankly, Ireland were lucky, very lucky, to get away with, was a far more impressive time for the Scots.

So, overall. A fair table ? It has to be, really.

France on top as their points difference was better, and they did beat the team with whom they were tied at the top. Italy were the major surprise of the tournament, Scotland were the biggest disappointment and England were the most enigmatic [if you are English, you’ll be fairly happy with this progress and turn around and a win over the French, if you are a celt, well, you’ll be happy the Irish got second spot ahead of the English andput a few points on the board against them at Croke Park.

And the World Cup 2007 ?

Well, if it is to be, as Jacque Chriac said after England won the 2003 Cup, a fantastic win for NORTHERN HEMISPHERE rugby [shurely JC, you mean ‘English Rugby ? : ed.] then a dramatic improvement will be sorely needed ‘oop north’ and the Blacks, the Boks and the Wallabies need to have a very poor ‘off month’ this coming September / October.

I thank you.