France sublime as England continue to build

I wrote the headlines last week but failed to see the conclusion. I should know that nostalgia doesn't win rugby matches and it was more than the retiring Irish legends who could not rise to the occasion.I also mentioned that when club form translates across to the International field success follows. France ensured that the Toulouse/Bordeaux-Bègles offloading game they had delivered in Italy was in full view at Lansdown Road. When it works it is unstoppable and led to a mountain of points with or without the unlucky Dupont (all the best for a speedy recovery).Lucu his replacement would walk into any other team in the world and together with teammates Penaud, Bielle-Biarry and countless men mountains moving at pace up front their second half was stunning to see and appreciated by all including the Irish. No disgrace for Ireland, their fast start was countered by the Edwards-inspired Gallic defence, and this is what provided the platform for later dominance. The young Irish players will learn fast, they will have to. Were it not for their profligacy at Twickenham the French would be marching to a Grand Slam against Scotland next weekend.

Talking of France's last opponents, all the strengths and weaknesses were on show at Murrayfield. The Scottish backline is impossibly good and collectively more than a match for even the French and in my view still full of Lions. They run brilliant lines and commit defenders like no other side, courtesy of Russell's sublime distribution (I know I repeat myself there). But their lack of resilience into the second half of matches, mainly in their back five, leaves them so vulnerable. Wales are not be the only side to be unravelled by Scottish running brilliance, and they have their own runners coming through, Blair Murray in particular looks a fine player. But this will be a hard learning curve and it may only be Italy they dream to beat over the next few years. I write that in full knowledge that every Welshman will be savouring that over-confidence a week before the Cardiff Clash. Being born in Wales, and on record for how the club game in Wales taught me so many lessons through my career, I am hesitant to predict, but England do continue to build and surely that process will continue next weekend.

For Italy, they are so easy on the eye in their attack but go absent at times in defence. Garbisi is making way too many mistakes and this diminishes their outstanding centre pairing and a pacy talented back row. Work to do and for England they didn't have to work too hard for their tries at Twickenham yesterday. What I really liked was the way the forwards, led by Chessum and Curry, started to show some running appetite. Will Stuart found that mesmerising sidestep from Josh Bayliss, his Bath teammate who is a past master at that particular move, and no doubt he has had to resign from the Front Row Union on the back of it. He is the most improved player (and scrummager) in Europe and will swerve onto the plane to Australia with some ease. Sadly, the Lawrence injury means more turmoil in midfield and the search will go on for answers there. Make Lee Blackett the man to build the production line. I see a dozen names mentioned and 90% wont make it. Take a view and work on the 10%. The answer is clearly NOT Ben Earl, however multi talented, or everyone else can give up. As for the Smiths, hats off for their performances. Finn's kicking is world class off the tee and from hand, he puts his side in such a great position and looks unflappable. Not sure about his running ability yet but so what we will take everything else. That piece is provided by his namesake, who can see a gap better than anyone except possibly Capuozzo (Toulouse) whose pièce de résistance lit up Twickenham and Vintcent's ( Exeter Chiefs) pace to finish was also breathtaking.

So, England to withstand the Welsh hwyl and France to fulfil their talent for the fourth occasion in five this season, with a rueful backward glance at the masochism of Twickenham. As for the Azzurri, if they can shore up the defence, and the sun shines, they may just fancy their chances in the Eternal City against an Irish team with a bucketful of injuries and retiring greats. If I know them, the rebuild is already underway but they will have to dig deep now the Grand Slam dream is gone, the sub conscious can take over. These are my only predictions of the Six Nations, dangerous to do I know, but regardless what a wonderful tournament it has been. Chapeau!