Where is the 6 nations 2017

A reminder why, for all its faults, we love this competition. The failure of Six Nations officials even to contemplate allowing Georgia to join their cosy club. How is rugby union across Europe supposed to grow if it stays a closed shop? They failed to score in the second half in three matches and are to the Six Nations Championship what Zebre and Treviso are to the Pro Bonus points.

Wales did play on in search of a fourth for three minutes past the 80 against Ireland. Hope you enjoyed that. Otherwise it had absolutely no effect. Good teams make good championships, not bonus points. Scotland at Twickenham. So calm, relaxed, confident in the buildup but dreadful throughout.

Relentlessly tough but not a hopeless cause if the Lions assemble a pack with sufficient grit and energy to drag the All Blacks into a bare-knuckle scrap. An almighty headache for Warren Gatland and his coaching team, who are going to have to marry together the best players from four fine sides with very distinct playing styles. Played at a higher tempo with a greater emphasis on skill. Wales and Ireland were at their most dangerous on the rebound; far more will be needed.

The best of the professional era. The home-union teams are in excellent nick, even if they have sometimes been made to look less than that by opponents in, er, excellent nick. They say New Zealand are playing well, too … MA. Hard going. Fiercely competitive up front and if it is wet and windy in New Zealand the Lions have a slim chance.

Maro Itoje. Six Nations decider: Why rugby remains in the pressure cooker for much longer As Scotland travel to France for the Six Nations title decider, Tom Hamilton explains why no team can breathe a sigh of relief, and will be watching the final nervously as rugby ticks along rapidly towards the World Cup.

SA SA. He also steered the ship well in South Africa last summer, when Ireland registered the first of those firsts, an away win against the Springboks. There is no doubt the break-up of the Conor Murray-Sexton axis, so fundamental to the next first, that one in Chicago, is a blow. Many commentators are going so far as to describe them as marginal favourites ahead of the latter, courtesy of home advantage for that final showdown, although the ones who matter, the bookies, have England as clear, odds-on favourites for the title, with Ireland a comparatively distant Schmidt considers it the most competitive championship of his tenure, with slim chance of a grand slam.

I think there have been a lot more championships without than with. One of the reasons for the hike in tension is the growing confidence of Scotland. It falls to Ireland to test this first. The reason they did not finish fifth last season is because they beat Scotland in an excellent match by 10 points on the final day in Dublin.

Kieran Marmion has settled in very well. Sexton and Farrell traded penalties inside the last 15 minutes to leave Ireland leading The hosts remained in control by dominating possession, per Accenture Rugby:. A tough and testing battle at the Stade de France saw the hosts exploit width to work the Welsh over. However, the French defending was also stellar, as Wales were denied room out wide and resisted in the pack.

Fortunately for the Welsh, their kicking game was strong, with Leigh Halfpenny prolific from the boot. The year-old converted six penalties to keep the game close.