As we get to the middle of the tournament, France and Ireland are still undefeated and riding high, having played two home matches, while their opponents in round three, Wales and England, will be looking to stay in the title race by knocking them over.
Ireland had an indifferent start against Scotland, but I enjoyed their performance against Wales, where they played with such precision that they had time and space to create opportunities out wide.
That is something that England did not have in their opening match against France, mainly because of the effectiveness of the new Shaun Edwards French defence – while it’s possible Wales missed him in Dublin, even though by now his defensive strategy should be part of the Welsh DNA.
I really enjoyed the World Cup because we saw some outstanding team and individual performances, but by comparison, the Six Nations has not been razor-sharp.
We have seen a trio of Frenchmen playing at a different level to the rest, with scrum-half Antoine Dupont emerging as a superstar after two games, and captain Charles Ollivon and No.8 Greg Aldritt very impressive up front.
Josh Adams has also been a treasure on the wing for Wales – he is a great pro who goes looking for work, plays consistently to a very high standard, and gives it his all – but that is about it in terms of eye-catching individual contributions.
However, the TV audience has not been been hitting the off button because we’ve had close games with England coming back against France in the second half, while Ireland v Scotland was also close.
On the debit side I could not believe what I was watching with England against France. Most of the English ball receivers did not start running until they caught the ball, and it did not help that the presentation of the ball at the ruck was poor.
Denne historien er fra February 16, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 16, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run