It would have surprised and disappointed had France not won the grand slam. Since their 2019 loss by Wales in the World Cup quarter-final, the French management has played a blinder. One eye on the next match, with the other always on the World Cup.
Defence and discipline are the headline acts in what was an impressive Six Nations campaign. The shadow of next year might have settled over the Stade de France when the firework display ended last Saturday night but the whiff of something special, a first grand slam in 12 years, swirled around the stadium.
From a World Cup perspective, it was important for France to win under the pressure of expectation as a dress rehearsal for their opening match against New Zealand and, more significantly, the closing match; the final. This is not an insult to the Six Nations. Quite the opposite. There is every likelihood that France will continue to improve but their chances of another grand slam are diminished by the fixture list. England away is awkward, Ireland is intimidating.
Had France played Ireland in Dublin, they may not have won the grand slam this season. A defeat in Dublin next year will not derail the self-belief of the side. They know they can handle pressure and are already good enough to be serious contenders.
The dynamism of the champions and speed and accuracy of the triple-crown winners were way ahead of the rest. England, I read, have more room for improvement because these nations are nearer the peak of their performance. This is a deliberate misreading of the situation. It is not that Ireland and France are ahead of the clock. They are both on course. Rather it is a case of England being behind.
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Joe Schmidt peaked early, in 2018. The manner in which Ireland’s game was slowing down going into Japan was clear. The timing was terrible. It was no shock to see New Zealand thrash them in the quarter-finals.
It would not be a surprise to see Ireland turn the tide on New Zealand if they meet again next year, whatever the results in New Zealand this summer. Andy Farrell is pacing Ireland’s run.
It was not a case of either the future (the 2023 World Cup) or the present (the Six Nations) for France and Ireland. It was both. The teams of the 2022 tournament are the best placed European contenders to conquer the world.
The only other side to have come out of 2022 in credit is Italy. Their first win in 37 Six Nations attempts and a first ever in Cardiff was my highlight of the competition. Kieran Crowley, the former All Black full back, now the Italy coach, is not plotting for the World Cup. Every international is important for this struggling rugby country.
It was only in autumn that Italy were making hard work of beating Uruguay in Rome. They have come a long way — arguably further than France and Ireland — in a short period of time.
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While the RFU chief executive, Bill Sweeney, talks of “progress” Italy have produced the performances on the field. They were the only team to lead France at any stage of the Six Nations. After 39 minutes in Paris Italy trailed by only one point. They didn’t score against England in a 33-0 defeat but the second half was competitive, England winning it 12-0. The red card in Dublin cost them two men — a wing was sacrificed — but they were defiant throughout. A late fightback gave them a creditable 33-22 loss by Scotland.
A week later it was his brilliant counterattack that set up Italy’s epic late winner against Wales. It has been, for all their losses, a wonderful Six Nations for Italy. They are pooled with New Zealand and France in the World Cup. It will take a rugby miracle to eclipse Cardiff.
Wales are in trouble. The football team are the talk of the Principality, the stadium didn’t sell out for the France clash and the regions are struggling. Wales long ago sold its rugby soul to the interests of the national team.
Scotland are another nation treading water. Gregor Townsend is not improving the team — who are in a World Cup group with Ireland and South Africa — one season to the next.
Finally, England. Whereas the “big two” are able to focus on two tournaments at the same time, England seem capable of focusing only on one or the other. “Progress” is no excuse for recent poor results. Resources are too great. Jones will stay but unless the Australian wins the RFU the World Cup, the period from 2020 to 2023 will be remembered as a waste of time.
