SIR CLIVE WOODWARD arms out his Six Nations verdict RATINGS

I believed the primary two video games of Six Nations ‘Super Saturday’ have been fairly underwhelming.

But the final of the 2024 Championship noticed the match come alive. The England-France match was sensible. Ireland had already deservedly received the title by the point it kicked off.

But each Steve Borthwick’s aspect and France delivered a particular 80 minutes. It was noticeable to me how each groups mingled on the ultimate whistle and mirrored on a recreation to recollect. At final we’re speaking in regards to the optimistic means England have performed and never nearly choice.

It was an effective way for the Six Nations to finish. Even although England misplaced in Lyon, the nationwide aspect has made vital strides on this marketing campaign.

England’s future appears vibrant. They have proven they will beat and problem the perfect groups like Ireland and France. Also how good was it to see the English celebrating some sensible tries and never penalties? Here’s my team-by-team evaluate of the match…

England

Tournament grade: B+

Final place: third

Record: Won 3, misplaced 2

Points: 14

Verdict: England ought to have crushed France they usually don’t want me to inform them that.

Even although they misplaced in Lyon and did not back-up the sensible victory over Ireland at Twickenham, head coach Borthwick and his gamers needs to be happy with a robust marketing campaign.

For the previous three years, England have solely received twice in every of these Six Nations which merely wasn’t adequate. While three victories in 2024 suggests solely a marginal enchancment on the previous, England’s progress has been far larger than that proven purely by the statistics.

For the primary time in an extended, very long time, I’m optimistic about England’s future. The fundamental cause for that’s due to the model of play they produced in opposition to Ireland and France.

Some of the dealing with in each matches was a pleasure to look at. England scored some sensible tries within the thriller with the French. I believed Tommy Freeman’s rating summed up England’s new strategy.

It’s wonderful what fast ball can do. When you’ve got that and your No 10 performs flat to the gainline, you instantly deliver tempo to your recreation. That’s what George Ford did in Lyon.

Ford was actually spectacular. Ollie Lawrence greater than appeared the half with two highly effective tries. I believed Ellis Genge was simply excellent and for me man of the match. He scrummaged nicely, was sturdy in defence, and confirmed some good passing. There is little question England have gotten a more-than-promising workforce in the event that they strategy video games with an all-out attacking mindset.

They have all the time had high quality gamers, however that married with a brand new, adventurous strategy bodes nicely. There are so many positives for England. Borthwick deserves lots of credit score.

I have to admit he has stunned me with the best way his workforce has performed of their final two matches. I did begin to doubt whether or not England may play with the pace of ball wanted at this degree. This is right down to good teaching. England have the gamers however primarily based on these final two matches in addition they an excellent teaching workforce led by Borthwick.

I’m now actually trying ahead to England’s summer time tour matches with New Zealand and the warm-up with Japan and I didn’t suppose I’d say that initially of this marketing campaign.

One factor I’d nonetheless like Borthwick to do is a little more thought on substitutions. He changed the whole entrance row early within the second half in opposition to France. Those switches included captain Jamie George.

I don’t suppose they have been wanted. Neither was eradicating Henry Slade for Manu Tuilagi who was having a robust recreation. Why take off your finest gamers, particularly your captain? That’s a serious studying for the longer term however total, nicely executed Steve.

Ireland

Tournament grade: A

Final place: 1st

Record: Won 4, misplaced 1

Points: 20

Verdict: Ireland have been shocked by England at Twickenham however they have been nonetheless the perfect workforce within the match when at full energy. 

It is extremely laborious to win back-to-back titles so hats off to them for that. They solely simply fell wanting changing into the primary Six Nations workforce to win consecutive Grand Slams. 

That exhibits how good they’re. Ireland are nonetheless the aspect to beat and their summer time tour to South Africa is one thing I can’t wait to look at. It would be the No 1 and No 2 sides on the planet going head-to-head. Ireland are going nicely however will probably be fascinating to see how they proceed to evolve their workforce. 

Peter O’Mahoney has been sensible as captain and Andy Farrell has clearly acquired the perfect out of him, however is he going to proceed? Even if he doesn’t, Ireland received’t be going wherever for a very long time. They have energy in depth in most positions however they positively missed Hugo Keenan at instances and Mack Hansen who was out for the entire match.

France

Tournament grade: B

Final place: 2nd

Record: Won 3, drawn 1, misplaced 1

Points: 15

Verdict: I wasn’t stunned France had a World Cup hangover. The England workforce I coached actually had one after the 2003 match and we received the factor! France began poorly. 

They have been hammered by Ireland, have been lucky to get previous Scotland, and drew with Italy. But the best way they performed in opposition to England was excellent and again to what France do finest. 

I feel they have been fuelled by an unimaginable ambiance in Lyon. France performed the working rugby we all know they will. They attacked from in all places they usually have critical high quality. 

Let’s not neglect they’ve Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack to return again into the aspect sooner or later too! France even have sensible gamers coming by within the likes of Nolann Le Garrec. 

I do suppose the teaching workforce shouldn’t be as one primarily based on the turnover of coaches and for the primary time Shaun Edwards simply doesn’t appear pleased. And that was earlier than England tore the much-vaunted French defence to items at instances.

Scotland

Tournament grade: C

Final place: 4th

Record: Won 2, misplaced 3

Points: 12

Verdict: More losses than wins for Scotland. They will likely be very upset with that. But it may have been very totally different. Had that strive been given in opposition to France in Edinburgh and Scotland had made it back-to-back victories, they might have been on for a Grand Slam. It wasn’t they usually ended up fourth. 

Test rugby is all about wonderful margins. Scotland have excellent gamers and play an excellent model of rugby however for some cause they regularly fall wanting difficult for the title. 

They can produce massive performances to get one-off wins. They want to start out stringing common and constant shows collectively particularly when enjoying away for dwelling. The Italy recreation particularly will hang-out them .

Italy

Tournament grade: B +

Final place: fifth

Record: Won 2, drawn 1, misplaced 2

Points: 11

Verdict: This was statistically Italy’s finest Six Nations ever with two wins and a draw. Hats off to them. They seem like they’re getting an excellent workforce collectively. 

The Six Nations documentary on Netflix confirmed their former head coach Kieran Crowley had misplaced a few of his combat. Gonzalo Quesada has are available and had a extremely massive and immediate influence. 

Wins over Scotland and Wales and a draw with France represents a more-than-credible match. Italy’s defence has improved massively and so has their kicking recreation. Their two centres have been excellent and arguably the perfect within the match.

Wales

Tournament grade: E

Final place: sixth

Record: Won 0, misplaced 5

Points: 4

Verdict: Wales have been terrible in opposition to Italy. Just so, so dangerous. It was a match to neglect for Warren Gatland. Wales are having to start out once more with younger gamers. But to me their subsequent technology doesn’t look sturdy or match sufficient for worldwide rugby proper now. 

They’ve acquired an enormous quantity of labor to do and are struggling badly at No 10. The two guys they’ve had enjoying there on this match are usually not at the moment Test class, not but anyway and the way they’re lacking Dan Bigger. 

I additionally wasn’t very impressed by Gatland telling the media he provided to resign after the Italy defeat. After 5 straight losses it might have been higher to inform everybody ‘We are the place we’re and I’ll kind this and I hope I’ve everybody’s, particularly the followers’ full help.’ 

If he doesn’t suppose he’s the suitable man for this mammoth job then simply resign and stroll away. But make no mistake Wales are in a critical gap in the meanwhile.