Six Is The Magic Number

The Six Nations begins this weekend with every team having something to play for. It promises to be an exciting tournament as always.

Six Is The Magic Number

The Six Nations (or Five as it was back then) was just kind of engrained into my childhood. I don’t have any particular memories of sitting down to watch every game or making notes on particular players to look out for like I did with football but it was always just kind of there, a part in my life, and I very much enjoyed it.

Lying on the living room rug or sitting on my Grandpa’s couch, I have memories of Gavin Hastings making a lung bursting run to score a try against France, Neil Jenkins making precision kicks over and over again and the Underwoods’ mum celebrating like a madwoman against Wales. These giants of men left an unforgettable impression on me that always whetted my appetite for more.

Rugby wasn’t a sport that children really played where I grew up (it was seen as more of a public school activity) but it was still well watched. Whether I was at home, visiting family or round at a friend’s house, when the rugby was available on TV it was on the screen. Part of this may have been to do with it being a centre point of Grandstand on the BBC in a time where people of all ages were more inclined to watch whatever sporting activity was shown as few had the opportunity to make their own choices through the wonders of Sky or cable at that point.

If rugby had been played in my area though, I think I may have been ok at it, certainly better than my woeful attempts at kicking a round ball, however hard I tried. At one point during my time at secondary school we had a PE teacher on an exchange programme from Australia called Mr Murrell. I vividly remember a day in the depths of winter where he took us to the local park and attempted to teach us the rules of Rugby League (being from Sydney). At first many were a bit dubious but once we got going it was actually a lot of fun.

It was a freezing cold day so we got stuck in to ward off the chill and were soon all covered in mud. Towards the end of the game, I found myself running through with the ball in my arms with visions of scoring the winning try beginning to run through my head. Then I looked up and saw him, one of the largest boys in our year, standing right in my way. Initially I panicked with those wonderful pictures of glory from seconds ago quickly being replaced of those being utterly squashed. However, instinct took over and I noticed that he was stood straight onto me, feet planted to the ground. I was still terrified but I sensed an opportunity.

There are certain times in life when watching an abundance of sport can actually prepare you for events in the real world and this was one of mine. I knew that standing as he was, he was prone to an attack, my momentum would surely continue to drive me forward, wouldn’t it? Either way my decision was made and I tucked my head down and rushed onwards, running full force into the giant and closing my eyes upon impact. I half expected to bounce straight off him and land flat on my back but no, when I opened my eyes again my legs were still moving, reaching towards the try line and a glance back showed it was he, like Goliath felled by David, who was on the ground in the mud. As I crossed the try line, fireworks went off, thousands cheered and I was engulfed by my delirious teammates (well not really, there was a mild cheer from a couple of classmates nearby). Either way, this small moment of sporting glory would eternally be etched in my mind.

This was really my only first hand experience of rugby though and, like many other sports, I went back to solely watching from the sidelines. My interest in the game, particularly the Six Nations but also the World Cup and Autumn International games increased over the years, particularly during my time at university and when travelling around Australia, New Zealand and Fiji with the game being so popular there. As I have written about before, I began to pick up on some of the finer intricacies and with that knowledge came greater appreciation.

The Six Nations tournament this year is incredibly interesting as there are a number of teams who could justifiably feel that they have a decent chance of winning. European teams are more regularly performing well against their Southern Hemisphere counterparts, even the mighty All Blacks were pushed to their limits although South Africa still seem to be a step ahead just now, and positive performances for many of the nations during the autumn will give further reason for hope.

France are currently the slight favourites with the bookies, perhaps based on their strong showing in the Autumn, including a defeat of New Zealand. Their flowing rugby is based on a quick passing game and talismanic scrum half Antoine Dupont is back this time after his Olympic adventure which may be enough to push them over the edge. Much will come down to their away games in Dublin and London as they will really need to earn their title in these stadiums that haven’t always been kind to them if is it is to be their year. They will certainly be bolstered by their dominant victory over Wales in their opener last night though.

Ireland are looking to become the first team to complete a historic treble of victories and are close behind France in the betting stakes. After winning the Grand Slam in 2023, the Irish sealed victory again last year by beating Scotland in their final match, despite a surprising loss to England in the previous round. Some slightly underwhelming results in the autumn have some asking questions, but the core of this team are proven winners in this event. They will also be helped that perhaps their two toughest games, against France and England, will be at home.

Much has been made about the state that English rugby is in over the past few years but it must be remembered that Steve Borthwick’s team finished third at the World Cup less than two years ago, beat Ireland in the last Six Nations, and pushed New Zealand very close in both November and July of last year. The problem is that despite good performances, they just can’t seem to get over the line in these big games. A key factor may be how brave Borthwick is in his team selection and whether he can find the X factor that has perhaps been missing.

Scotland continue to delight and frustrate their fans in equal measure. They are a team capable of so much and are undeniably an incredible attacking force but consistency is sorely lacking and it must be questioned now whether mentality is a serious issue. Another issue is the injury to captain Sione Tuipulotu which will keep him out. However, a boost for the players may be the fact that there are spots on a Lions team to play for this summer too. Much for the Scots will rest on their second game against Ireland. If they can win that, assuming they have beat Italy in their opener, then anything is possible. The problem is, we’ve said the same thing many times before.

Italy had a wonderful tournament last year, pushing England close in their opener before drawing with France and then beating both Scotland and Wales, and also having the player of the tournament in Tommaso Menoncello. However, they may struggle to match those results this time around. With actual expectation from fans, it may be difficult to follow up but they will certainly give it a go, despite mixed performances over their summer and autumn matches. Their home match against Wales in week 2 will be one that they will target to get them going.

The situation that the Wales rugby team finds themselves in is a huge talking point at the moment. A team that won as recently as 2021 got the wooden spoon in last year’s tournament and only beat Italy a year previously. They also lost all of their Autumn International matches, including a defeat at home to Fiji. In fact, including their defeat to France in their opener last night, they have now lost 13 matches in a row which is their worst run ever. It also doesn’t suit them that their best chance of a win, against Italy, is away in Rome. However, like the other home nations, their players will be aware that there are still places on a Lions tour available and this may spur them on to achieving something. Warren Gatland and Welsh fans will certainly be hoping so.

Just as I did during my childhood, I will be glued to my screen watching the rugby whenever it is on during the tournament this year. Whatever the eventual outcome, the action is sure to be immense and I’m sure that at some point I will again be transported back to my own victorious moment in that freezing cold park all those years ago, imaginary fireworks and adoring fans included.

During the Six Nations, you can also keep on top of going’s on and match predictions by taking a look at the Rugby4Cast.

https://sports4cast.com/4casts/rugby4cast/