A Day To Remember

As yesterday’s curtain came down on this year’s edition of the RBS Six Nations, England came up just short of reaching the target set first by Wales, then Ireland, to be crowned Kings of Europe. In a pulsating final day, all three genuine contenders lay down a marker of intent and would have thought they had at least one hand on the elusive trophy.

Starting in Rome, where Italy flew out of the blocks and would have had many a Welsh fan quaking in their boots, with the men from the Valleys ahead by a solitary point at the interval. What was to come was mesmerising. An awe-inspiring display of attacking rugby, aided in part by an Italian capitulation, saw Warren Gatland’s men amass a staggering 47 points in 40 minutes. However, as they would find out to their peril, it would be an Italian try in the dying embers from Leonardo Sarto, and a Luciano Orquera conversion rom the touchline which would matter most. A final moment of controversy and surprise and a clear sign of things to come. 

Then we went to Edinburgh and a scene set for Joe Schmidt’s Ireland to win back-to-back titles, simply if they could beat a defiant Scottish side by 20 points or more. Simple. A strategically thought out game plan, led on the field by messrs Sexton, O’Brien and O’Connell, would see Ireland run out eventual 40-10 winners at Murrayfield. Once again, a final minute play would prove influential. A Jamie Heaslip tackle on Stuart Hogg over the line, no try Scotland. England’s job became ever more monumental. 

And so to Twickenham, where very few gave England a hope of battering down the French door to the tune of a 26 point winning margin. Lancaster’s men gave it an almighty go and only for some staunch French resilience and an attacking flair which had been MIA for many months prior, England would have done it, and with some ease. Another display of attacking flair from minute 1-80, a staggering 90 points, with 55 of them going to the home side, showed once more just what Northern Hemisphere sides are capable of when given a licence to play. A turgid brand of rugby? Not today. 

However, such games hinge on the minute details and when James Haskell stuck out a stray boot to trip Jules Plisson in the French 22, you felt England’s grasp on the Championship slip away. A terribly unnecessary moment from a man who has personified England’s tilt at the title. Try as they might, England failed to muster the required points margin to see them over the line and when you saw the wonderful sight of prop Vincent Debaty dotting down, having tracked all of 80 metres to take the final pass from Noa Nakaitaci, you remembered what rugby is all about. 

A day of unforgettable excitement, nervous tension and exceedingly good entertainment, Six Nations 2015 will be remembered for a final day like no other. 

Ryan Sheady